Multi-spooling machine with interchangeable units

ABSTRACT

A multi-spooling machine for the high-speed and low-vibration winding of filaments, threads, yarns or the like wherein individual self-supporting and self-contained spooling units are interchangeably mounted and detachably fastened in adjacent abutting positions onto a base-anchored supporting stand to provide a unitary vibration-damping mass.

United States Patent Busch 4151 3,682,404 [4 1 Aug. 8, 1972 [54] MULTI-SPOOLING MACHINE WITH INTERCI-IANGEABLE UNITS [72] Inventor: Hans Jochen Busch, Remscheid- Lennep, Germany [73] Assignee: Barmag Barmer Maschinenfabrik Aktiengesellschaft, Wuppertal, Ger- Attorney-Johnston, Root, OKeeffe, Keil, Thompson & Shurtleff many 57 ABSTRACT [22] Wed: May 1970 A multi-spooling machine for the high-speed and low- [21] Appl. No.: 37,823 vibration winding of filaments, threads, yarns or the like wherein individual self-supporting and self-contained spooling units are interchangeably mounted 2% 5 and detachably fastened in adjacent abutting positions 1 42 35 5 R 3 R 18 DD onto a base-anchored supporting stand to provide a Ie d 0 Searc unitary vibration damping mass.

[56] References Cited 10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,036,784 5/1962 Schippers et al ..242/35.5 R

10 3 I I0 I4 I 3 8 9 7 8 9 6 2' l2 l2 7 l4 l2 l2 5 i u I I2 ll l4 l4 MULTI-SPOOLING MACHINE WIII-I INTERCIIANGEABLE UNITS For the spooling of continuous synthetic filaments as yarns, threads or the like produced for example according to the melt or dry spinning process, so-called multispooling machines with a plurality of winding or spooling units are known, in which each individual spooling unit including its drive, traverse and power supply elements are combined into a block which is self-sufiicient and independent of the other individual spooling positions or units. Such a block consists of drive, traverse and power supply elements which are disposed in a frame or housing of their own and are secured onto a machine framework. This machine framework has the form of a large cabinet or case piece into which the individual blocks can be slipped or shoved in the manner of drawers and detachably fastened in place (German Auslegeschrift No. 1,131,844). Machines of this type have the advantage that the individual blocks are easily interchanged, it being possible to remove or replace one block without disturbing the adjacent blocks.

One drawback of such a framework construction resides in the fact that the assembly frame or stand, in view of the generally required compact construction, can consist only of relatively weak girders with an L- shaped or T-shaped cross section. As a result, the stand is relatively easily set in vibration at natural oscillation frequencies, for which reason the rotational speeds of member as a supporting block in direct abutting relationship with the rigid casing member of each adjacent individual spooling means, and a rigid base-anchored supporting stand interconnecting all of the casing members which are detachably fastened thereto. By avoiding the insertion of a separate machine framework between the adjacent casing members, the fastened supporting structure of these casing members together with the base-anchored supporting stand, which is preferably a single rear assembly wall, forms a unitary vibration-damping mass which is nevertheless compact in size and permits individual spooling units to be readily interchanged.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the individual spooling units are arranged in a multi-tier or multi-deck assembly with the rigid casing members being disposed in a number of rows, one over the other and preferably offset or displaced to one side with respect to each other, e.g., as in laying bricks. Also, it is quite advantageous to mount the casing members on a single rear wall assembly, preferably by means of a plurality of carrying arms extending outwardly from the wall assembly with bolting means to secure each casing member against shifting or axial displacement on the arms. In addition, the casing members of each row can be mutually bolted, clamped or otherwise fastened directly to the casing member or members of the next adjacent row, e.g., by bolting the base of an upper casing member to the top of at least one of the casing members on which it rests in its assembled or installed position.

thread guide also increases, whereby the requirements for the rigidity and the vibration-damping properties of the entire multi-spooling machine structure increase considerably. If these requirements are to be met by increasing the size of the frame cross-sections, then it is also necessary to increase the overall dimensions of the framework on which the individual blocks are loaded. This eventually leads to overall dimensions of the machine framework and spooling units which can no longer be accepted in view of normal space requirements.

One object of the present invention is to provide a multi-spool spooling or winding machine having low vibration characteristics while still permitting the machine to be operated at high winding speeds, i.e., so as to provide a maximum production capacity. Another object of the invention is to provide such a multi-spooling machine in which individually mounted and self contained spooling units are readily interchanged without disturbing adjacent spooling units but still maintaining a unitary vibration-damping mass for the entire spooling machine. Yet another object is to con struct such a multi-spooling machine in a manner which will conserve space in the arrangement of a very large number of spooling units for commercial operations. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed specification.

It has now been found, in accordance with the present invention, that excessive vibrations can be avoided at high winding speeds with a multi-spooling machine having interchangeable spooling units and comprising a plurality of individual spooling means, each of which is self-contained in its own rigid casing Other variations and preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely through the multi-spooling machine along the axes of a series of bolt fasteners or carrying arms, certain elements being omitted in order to better illustrate one preferred embodiment of the overall assembly of the spooling units;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating a slightly different preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a front plan view, in partly schematic form, of the embodiment shown in FIG. I, particularly illustrating a multi-tier construction in which the rows of spooling units are offset from one another.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the supporting stand or frame 1 which is adapted to receive the interchangeable spooling units is most advantageously in the form of a rear wall plate or other assembly of rigid construction extending over the entire length of the spooling machine and having means to detachably fasten tiers or rows of spooling units on either side. The wall plate 1 is provided at the bottom with a supporting shelf or base preferably of cast construction with suitably reinforcedv bearing or fastening sections to provide sufficient strength and rigidity.

Each individual spooling unit requires its own rigid casing member 5 or 5' on which the spool shaft or spindle 6 is rotatably joumaled and adapted to receive a winding bobbin or spool 7 with the traversing thread guide 8 carried on the traversing rod 9 which in turn is also mounted directly on the casing member 5 or 5' near the upper end thereof. Various other elements of the individual spooling means, such as bearing members, individual shaft drives and the like, have not been shown in the drawing since they are conventional in construction and placement within the interior of the rigid casing member and do not constitute a part of the invention other than the fact that all such individual spooling means must be self-contained on or within the interchangeable casing member 5 or 5'. A suitable friction drive roller 6' is shown in FIG. 3 and may likewise be joumaled in the front side of the housing 11 of each individual spooling unit 5 or 5.

In each of the illustrated embodiments, several or a large number of individual spooling units, i.e., as represented by the casing members 5 or 5, are arranged on each side of the wall panel 1 in two rows one over the other and in direct abutting contact with each other along the top, bottom and/or sides, i.e., without any interposed framework. The casing members 5 or 5 are likewise preferably of cast construction to provide rigid self-supporting blocks which are symmetrically identical to each other in the form of box-like or rectangular structures and can be substantially completely closed on all sides, including top and bottom for stacking and handling as well as protecting spooling means contained therein. The lowermost row of these spooling units or blocks can rest on the supporting shelf 2 or directly on the base plate 3 or 3' or even directly on the floor or foundation 4.

In order to rigidly but detachably fasten each spooling unit 5 or 5' to the wall plate or panel 1, a plurality of more or less elongated carrying arms or 10' extend outwardly and parallel to each other from the wall panel 1 through corresponding openings in the enclosed housing 11, preferably on load bearing and reinforced guide sections 12 located in each of the inner four corners of each spooling unit. While these carrying arms 10 or 10 may have any cross-section which is sufficiently rigid, e.g., circular, rectangular or otherwise, at least a portion thereof is preferably in the form of a threaded bolt in order to securely tighten the spooling units in place by a removable nut.

For example, in FIG. 1 there is shown an especially preferred embodiment in which the four carrying arms 10 for each spooling unit 5 extends completely through the wall panel 1 where they can be tightly secured against the assembly wall by means of nuts 13 recessed in the wall structure. The outer ends of each carrying arm 10 extend forwardly from the wall assembly 1 up to or even though the reinforced corners 12' of the individual spooling unit 5 so as to be removably fastened by means of the mounting screws or bolts 14 connecting the face side or front portion of the spooling unit 5 to the carrying arm 10. The location of these mounting screws 14 are also shown in the face or front view of FIG. 3 on the two left-hand spooling units, similar positions of these and other rotatable members merely being indicated by center point locations on all of the other spooling units to avoid undue repetition. In assembling or removing and replacing individual spooling units, they are easily slipped in or out of place by guiding along the carrying arms 10 and then tightening or loosening the mounting screws 14.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has the advantage that the carrying or supporting arms 10, preferably four such arms for each spooling unit, also serve as guides for the rapid and accurate installation and placement of each spooling unit 5, independently of all adjacent spooling units or units on the opposite side of the supporting wall panel 1. Furthermore, the individual casing members 5 can be completely enclosed by the top, bottom and side walls 11 so that the enclosed spooling means such as drive members, bearings and the like are fully protected from dust, fibrous particles or other contaminating substances. If desired, the front wall of the housing 11 which carries the spool 7 and traversing mechanism 8,9 can be removably attached for access to working parts.

In another embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the carrying arms 10' can be shortened to merely provide supporting and fastening bolts threaded at their exposed end to receive the nuts 15. These bolts 10' can be firmly connected to the rear wall 1 in any suitable manner, for example by clamping, jam fitting, shrink fitting or welding them in place to provide permanent bolting means or else by screwing these bolts 10' in place by means of threaded openings in the wall 1. When using such short bolts 10 the housing 11 of each casing member 5 require only the rear reinforced structures or guide pieces 12 and the front guide pieces 12' as shown in FIG. 1 can be omitted. In order to provide access to the interior of the casing member 5, the front wall 11a of the housing can be provided with openings 16 through which a special long wrench can be inserted for rapid tightening or loosening of the nuts 15. In order to completely enclose the housing 11 of each casing member 5, it is preferable to insert or wedge plastic or elastomeric plugs 17 into the openings 16, as indicated in the bottom opening of lower casing member 5' on the left side of the wall 1 in FIG. 2.

In order to increase the cohesiveness or abuttingrelationship of the individual units 5, as well as integrating all of the units into a unitary block with a large moment of inertia, the individual units can be mutually clamped or bolted together in addition to being fastened to the wall 1. For example, sharp wedges can be driven between individual units 5 or 5' or the abutting wall surfaces can be grooved or profiled to permit spacers or wedges to be inserted (not shown in the drawings). A very tight and unitary overall machine structure can be achieved in a simple manner by joining the abutting walls 11, especially top and bottom walls of abutting units, by means of bolts 18 with attached nuts 19 and 20. In this case, it is of course essential to provide the openings 16 in the casing members 5' which can be covered or filled with plugs 17.

Referring now to FIG. 3 which is a partially schevertical planes 21 and 21 at which the units of each row contact one another are not aligned but are preferably a short distance apart.

This staggered or offset arrangement permits the removal of a lower individual spooling unit while still retaining some support for the next higher unit which partially rests on two such adjoining lower units. This is advantageous not only when removing or replacing a single unit but also in providing a bridging effect over any slight gap existing between installed units, thereby further improving the vibration-damping characteristics of the entire machine. In addition, when mutually bolting or clamping upper and lower units to each other, as shown in FIG. 2, the offset distance can be sufficient to retain such a connection or rigid fastening between each upper spooling unit and at least one lower unit. Thus, any individual spooling unit can be removed while all remaining units are still retained in an abutting or contacting relationship with at least two other units, either in its own row or in an adjacent upper or lower row.

In most commercial installations, the multi-spool spooling machine will be much longer than that shown in FIG. 3 and will also have a larger number of rows or tiers of individual spooling units. The necessity of a unitary vibration-damping structure becomes extremely important with such commercial assemblies, especially with a very large number of spools being operated at high rotational speeds.

The rear assembly wall 1 is preferably an integral hollow cast plate or panel which is embedded or rigidly bolted to a concrete foundation. Of course, it can also be equipped with a special base plate or shelf on which the lowermost rows of spooling units are firmly supported, this base plate then being anchored on a suitable bed or otherwise firmly bolted to the foundation. The individual casing members 5 or 5 are likewise preferably hollow cast structures so as to be as unitary or integral in construction as possible. On the other hand, it is also feasible to construct all of these supporting elements, i.e., the rear wall assembly and the casing members, from a number of panels and/or frames which are then welded or similarly joined into an integral structure. These and other variations in the construction and arrangement of the essential wall assembly and casing members can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. One can obviously employ any conventional spooling means and still achieve a very compact and unitary structure which has a high production capacity and low vibration characteristics.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A multi-spooling machine with interchangeable spooling units comprising a plurality of individual spooling means, each of which is self-contained and supported on its own individual rigid casing member as a spooling unit;

a machine frame consisting only of a unitary vertical rear assembly wall extending over the length of said spooling machine and a horizontal base member rigidly connected to said wall on at least one side thereof and also connected to a foundation to firmly anchor said machine frame; said spooling means and their respective casing memfi l cig lnifistmg ;%23tifl3lllrfil of rows one over another with the lowermost row resting on the base member and each higher row resting on the next row below; and

means to separately and detachably fasten each rigid casing member to said rear assembly wall while being positioned in direct abutting relationship with the rigid casing member of each adjacent individual spooling means such that said frame and all of said casing members are interconnected to form a unitary vibration-damping mass.

2. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 including means to mutually and detachably fasten each of the adjacent and abutting casing members to each other.

3. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said horizontal base member is a unitary and integral extension of the vertical rear assembly wall.

4. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said unitary assembly wall is of hollow construction.

5. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 4 in which the base member extends outwardly on either side of said vertical assembly wall.

6. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the casing members of each row are displaced to one side of the casing members in the next adjacent row.

7. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 6 including means for mutually and detachably fastening the casing members of each row to the casing members in the next adjacent row.

8. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein each casing member is removably mounted on carrying arm means extending outwardly from said assembly wall with fastening means to secure said casing member against shifting and axial displacement with reference to said carrying arms.

9. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein said carrying arm means extend from said assembly wall to fastening means in the outermost face of the casing member.

10. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein said carrying arm means extend through said assembly wall and outwardly from both sides thereof to receive said casing members for mounting on both sides of the wall. 

1. A multi-spooling machine with interchangeable spooling units comprising a plurality of individual spooling means, each of which is selfcontained and supported on its own individual rigid casing member as a spooling unit; a machine frame consisting only of a unitary vertical rear assembly wall extending over the length of said spooling machine and a horizontal base member rigidly connected to said wall on at least one side thereof and also connected to a foundation to firmly anchor said machine frame; said spooling means and their respective casing members being arranged in a multi-tier assembly, said rigid casing members being disposed in a plurality of rows one over another with the lowermost row resting on the base member and each higher row resting on the next row below; and means to separately and detachably fasten each rigid casing member to said rear assembly wall while being positioned in direct abutting relationship with the rigid casing member of each adjacent individual spooling means such that said frame and all of said casing members are interconnected to form a unitary vibration-damping mass.
 2. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 including means to mutually and detachably fasten each of the adjacent and abutting casing members to each other.
 3. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said horizontal base member is a unitary and integral extension of the vertical rear assembly wall.
 4. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein said unitary assembly wall is of hollow construction.
 5. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 4 in which the base member extends outwardly on either side of said vertical assembly wall.
 6. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the casing members of each row are displaced to one side of the casing members in the next adjacent row.
 7. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 6 including means for mutually and detachably fastening the casing members of each row to the casing members in the next adjacent row.
 8. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein each casing member is removably mounted on carrying arm means extending outwardly from said assembly wall with fastening means to secure said casing member against shifting and axial displacement with reference to said carrying arms.
 9. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein said carrying arm means extend from said assembly wall to fastening means in the outermost face of the casing member.
 10. A multi-spooling machine as claimed in claim 8 wherein said carrying arm means extend through said assembly wall and outwardly from both sides thereof to receive said casing members for mounting on both sides of the wall. 